Students transfer out of Bentonville High due to overcrowding

65 students transfer out of district for fall semester

Parents are trying to get their children out of Bentonville School District because classes are too crowded.

“People do not want to be in Bentonville School District because it’s overcrowded,” said parent Amy Keith.

The overcrowding at Bentonville High School has become so big of a problem that parents are not waiting for the possibility of adding a new high school to the district. They are instead requesting their children be transferred out.

“I think it’s a statement, as far as where our population in the building is today, and goes to the absolute need for a second high school, the fact that parents are considering leaving one of the top high schools in the state,” said parent Kathy Breed.

Bentonville Superintendent Mike Poore said 65 students were transferred out this fall semester due to crowded classes.

He said 22 students transferred to Gravette High School, 22 transferred to PEA Ridge High School, nine students transferred to Siolam Springs High School, seven transferred to Springdale High School, three transferred to Rogers High School and two students transferred to Decauter High School.

Poore said the district is trying its best to manage its crowded high school.

“Certainly we are creating a great learning environment and our performance results, even with this dramatic growth, has not dropped off,” Poore said.

Parents said it isn’t about academic numbers, but rather the overall education experience that is being hindered due to a packed school.

If residents vote for a second high school in the district, the new school will hold more than 2,000 students. Some parents said they wouldn’t be forced to consider transferring their children out if that happens.

“You’ve got people leaving because this is not the ideal environment for their children,” Keith said.